Yesterday saw Milan fashion week draw to a close with some of the shining lights in Italian (and international) fashion, showing their autumn/winter 08 collections.

First up was Dolce and Gabanna who's mainline show was a seamless expansion of the trends already introduced in their D&G show on Monday. If Dominico and Stefano are to be believed, if you only buy one thing next season it has to be checked!

The front row certainly approved of the London rebel meets traditional British tailoring vibe that marched down the catwalk to the tune of David Bowie. Naomi Campbell, Lindsay Lohan and Sheryl Crow were all front and centre. Crow revealed she hopes that Dolce and Gabbana might dress her for her next tour, while LiLo, who wasn't giving much away about the new album she's recording or which new films she's working on, did let slip that she'd love to design shoes and bags for a designer or one day or maybe even design a collection of her own. You heard it here first!

Next up it was the turn of Fendi, and this year Karl Lagerfeld also intends to show the Fendi a/w 08 collection in Paris next week - at the same time as the party to celebrate the new Fendi store opening on Avenue Montaigne on Friday night.

In Milan this week it has become evident that designers are influenced by one of two things - some have gone simple and even austere, reflecting the world's preoccupation with impending recession, while others seem diametrically opposed to this vibe and have shown uber rich, luxe collections aimed at the super rich emerging markets in Russia. This was never more evident than at Fendi where Lagerfeld and his team have patented a magical process whereby they have coated their trademark Fendi furs in 24-carat gold. These shimmering pelts glided down the catwalk on cape and Victoriana high collars as if sprinkled in fairy dust.

Newsletter sign-up

The ELLE take on everything that’s trending in your world – shopping, beauty and celebrity news, and in–depth reads – direct to your inbox every Wednesday.

Sign up to ELLE Notes today.

Enter your email address:
Please tick if you would prefer not to receive news & special offers from Hearst Magazines UK, publisher of ELLE.
Please tick if you would like to receive news & special offers from selected partners of Hearst Magazines UK.